Specialty Channel FX Canada Goes On The Air This Month
Bold programming, blockbuster movies, breakout hits – destination viewing takes on a new meaning with the debut of Rogers Media’s FX Canada. Launching Monday, Oct. 31 at 9pm ET/PT (8CT, 7MT) with American Horror Story, the premium specialty channel will broadcast critically-acclaimed programming including FX acquired series, movies and original Canadian series.
“Showcasing world-class content, FX Canada is an example of our continued commitment to bringing Canadians the best television has to offer,” said Scott Moore, President of Broadcasting, Rogers Media. “With award-winning series, ground-breaking hits and unique content never before seen in Canada, we’re establishing FX Canada as a leading source for out-of-the-box, engaging and entertaining programming night after night.”
Headlining the launch of FX Canada is the highly-anticipated new drama series American Horror Story from the producers of Nip/Tuck and Glee, Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. Drawing an unprecedented 5 million viewers during the recent U.S. premiere on October 5, this provocative psycho-sexual thriller stars Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights), Dylan McDermott (The Practice), Academy Award® winner Jessica Lange (Grey Gardens), Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under), Taissa Farmiga (Higher Ground) and Denis O’Hare (True Blood). In advance of the much-buzzed premiere, Citytv will broadcast a special sneak preview of American Horror Story on Monday, Oct. 24 at 9pm ET/PT, along with cheeky comedy series Wilfred at 10pm ET/PT and The League at 10:30pm ET/PT.
FX Canada Programming Highlights – (and not a Canadian-made title among them)
American Horror Story (Season 1, 13 x 60 minutes) – USA
**Special sneak peek on Citytv Monday, Oct. 24 at 9pm ET/PT**
Premieres Monday, Oct. 31 at 9pm ET/PT (8CT, 7MT) *Two back-to-back episodes*
Regular timeslot: Wednesdays at 10pm ET/PT (9CT, 8MT)
Touted as the most terrifying new series on television this fall, American Horror Story revolves around the Harmons, a family of three who move from Boston to Los Angeles as a means to reconcile their past. They take up residence in a stately 1920s mansion that hides dark secrets within its walls. Having suffered through a miscarriage and marital infidelity, former cellist Vivien (Connie Britton), her husband Ben (Dylan McDermott), a psychiatrist, and their troubled teenage daughter, Violet (Taissa Fermiga), attempt to put the dark memories of their past behind them. While Ben begins treating a new patient, Violet struggles to fit in at school and Vivien occupies her time uncovering a bizarre mural she’s discovered underneath the wallpaper. Then, Ben meets a former resident of the house who has his own tragic tale to tell; Vivien hires an elderly housekeeper (Frances Conroy) with secrets of her own; and the family meets their kleptomaniac neighbour, Constance (Jessica Lange), and her daughter, Adelaide, who seem too well acquainted with the mysterious house and its foreboding history.
Wilfred (Season 1, 13 x 30 minutes) – USA
**Special sneak peek on Citytv Monday, Oct. 24 at 10pm ET/PT**
Premieres Monday, Oct. 31 at 11pm ET/PT (10CT, 9MT)
Regular timeslot: Thursdays at 10pm ET/PT (9CT, 8MT)
Wilfred is a half-hour, live-action comedy about Ryan (Elijah Wood, The Lord of the Rings), a young man struggling unsuccessfully to make his way in the world until he forms a unique friendship with Wilfred (Jason Gann, The Wedge), his neighbour’s canine pet. Everyone else sees Wilfred as just a dog, but Ryan sees a crude and somewhat surly, yet irrepressibly brave and honest Australian bloke in a cheap dog suit. While leading him through a series of comedic and existential adventures, Wilfred the dog shows Ryan the man how to overcome his fears and joyfully embrace the unpredictability and insanity of the world around him. Rounding out the cast are Fiona Gubelmann (Parenthood) as Jenna, Wilfred’s owner; and Dorian Brown (Roomates) as Kristen, Ryan’s uptight sister.
The League (Season 3, 13 x 30 minutes) – USA
**Special sneak peek on Citytv Monday, Oct. 24 at 10pm ET/PT**
Premieres Monday, Oct. 31 at 11:30pm ET/PT (10:30CT, 9:30MT)
Regular timeslot: Thursdays at 10:30pm ET/PT (9:30CT, 8:30MT)
The League is a half-hour comedy about male friendship, marriage, parenting, suburbia and growing up – or refusing to grow up – through a circle of friends in a fantasy football league. Fantasy football provides an outlet for a good-natured competition and camaraderie between friends and colleagues, but that’s not always the case. Deception, trickery, one-upmanship and a win-at-all-costs mentality are always prevalent and it’s no different in The League. The emotional tentacles of the game extend to personal relationships, marriages and the workplace, all fertile ground for comedy. The cast includes Mark Duplass (Greenberg) as Pete, Stephen Rannazzisi (Samantha Who?) as Kevin, Nick Kroll (I Love You, Man) as Ruxin, Paul Scheer (Bride Wars) as Andre, Canadian comedian Jon Lajoie as Taco and Katie Aselton (Cyrus) as Jenny.
Sons of Anarchy (Season 1, 13 x 60 minutes) – USA
Premieres Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 10pm ET/PT (9CT, 8MT)
Sons of Anarchy is an adrenalized drama with darkly comedic undertones about a notorious outlaw motorcycle club (MC) intent on protecting its sheltered small town, Charming, against encroaching drug dealers, corporate developers and overzealous law officers. The club is equally determined to protect their ruthless and illegally thriving arms business. At the core of the group is Jackson “Jax” Teller (Charlie Hunnam, Children’s Hospital) a man whose love for the brotherhood will eventually be tested by his growing apprehension for its lawlessness; Gemma Teller Morrow (Golden Globe® winner Katey Sagal, LOST), Jax’s force-of-nature mother; and Clarence Clay Morrow (Ron Perlman, 1000 Ways to Die), Jax’s stepfather and MC president. The triangle of mother, son and stepfather will ultimately reveal the dark secrets in this family’s past and how far they will go to protect their sins. Additional cast includes Kim Coates (Prison Break) as Alex “Tig” Trager, Maggie Siff (Mad Men) as Tara Knowles and Drea De Matteo (The Sopranos) as Wendy Case.
Terriers (Season 1, 13 x 60 minutes) – USA
Premieres Monday, Nov. 7 at 10pm ET/PT (9CT, 8MT)
Hank Dolworth (Donal Logue, Life) is a retired cop turned low-rent private investigator. His constant need to protect the people he cares about leads him to uncover a scandal that brings him more trouble than he anticipated. Britt Pollack (Micheal Raymond-James, True Blood) is a former petty thief who gave up his life of crime to be with his girlfriend, Katie (Laura Allen, Dirt). Together, they team up to launch an unlicensed private investigation business. The duo, both struggling with maturity issues, solves crimes while avoiding danger and responsibility. Comedic, edgy, original, a show about high stakes in the face of low expectations, Terriers explores what it’s like to be too small to fail in today’s America. Additional cast includes Kimberly Quinn (Two and a Half Men) as Gretchen Dolworth and Rockmond Dunbar (Sons of Anarchy) as Detective Mark Gustafson.
Louie (Season 2, 13 x 30 minutes) – USA
Premieres Winter 2012
Louie is filtered through the observational humour of Emmy® Award-winning comedian Louis C.K. (Parks and Recreation). Loosely based on his own life as a successful stand-up comedian and a newly single father raising two daughters in New York City, each episode of Louie puts a spotlight on his everyday ordeals, his quest to find love and his pursuit of humor. The single-camera comedy is shot entirely in New York and features a unique mix of Louis C.K.’s stand-up comedy and scripted shorts.